Chapter 14: The Phoenix has Landed
The Phoenix enters the gangway and begins walking down from it. There he sees the Small Council looking straight at him. Slowly he approaches them as if he observing them all. Only he doesn't seem to be showing them the Phoenix, but someone else.
Tywin looks at the ship and sees the sails of Braavos on them.
Tywin: You come from Braavos.
The Phoenix doesn't answer.
Tywin: You know when a lord asks you a question especially in their country it's best you answer.
Of course that doesn't seem to intimidate him.
Tyrion: Can we have your name Ser.
Phoenix: Wilhem… Merchant of Braavos. Well one of them.
Tywin: Are you here on behalf of the Iron Bank?
Phoenix: I do business with them, so thats make me aware that this country owes them money… but no I'm not here on their behalf.
Cersei: Then why are you here? We don;t welcome many foreigners here.
Phoenix: Who is this blonde woman speaking to me.
Grand Maester Pycelle feels offended by this man insults of the Queen Regent.
Pycelle: This is Cersei Lannister, Queen Regent of Westeros. Lord Tywin this man should apologize to the Queen, for his insolence.
Tywin: Pycelle. Shut up. (To Wilhem/The Phoenix) Excuse my daughter. However If your not here on behalf of the Iron Bank then perhaps we should know whats your business is here.
Phoenix: Fair enough. I always wanted to visit Westeros I guess. Maybe be a permanent resident here.
Tywin seems relieved that he not here for the Iron Bank. Same for the others.
Phoenix: Let me ask you's it's how you greet all people coming from Essos.
Tywin seems to hate him already. Tywin looks up at the ship and sees this man beautiful wife.
Tywin: Our apologies.
Tywin leaves, this seemed to be a waste of time. Some of the Small Council members leave, except for Varys who seems to have some feeling of him. The Phoenix/Wilhem stares right back at him. Varys leaves.
Phoenix: Lord Tywin!
Tywin pauses and turns around to fax Wilhem.
Phoenix: If you have a moment, perhaps we can talk. Business mostly, perhaps the crown debt to the Iron Bank. If you don't mind.
Tywin looks at the Small Council. Kalimar smiles.
Tywin slowly approaches The Phoenix/Wilhem.
Tywin: How many people have you come with?
Phoenix: Including me 34.
Tywin: Do you have papers proving your position and name.
Kalimar comes prepared and takes out the papers and hands them to his father, and his father hands them to Tywin. Tywin looks over them. Alto slowly walks down the walk way very confident. It is there he eyes Cersei Lannister the Queen Regent. He winks to her. Of course she is not interested.
Tywin: So you came here for a visit?
Phoenix: Yes, and I said possibly permanently. If my money is good here. In fact I hope I'm invited to the Royal Wedding; this event is talked about around the Essos.
Tywin glares at him.
Tywin: Perhaps we should find you and your people some chambers in the keep, and get you all settle in before we should talk business.
The Phoenix looks up at the Red Keep and admires the architecture.
Phoenix: Would do.
Tywin hands him back his papers.
Tywin: Welcome to Westeros.
The Phoenix smiles, not knowing if its devious or out of gladness.
Phoenix: Oh, it's good to finally be here, especially now.
The Phoenix and his family seem to be in a nice room with a view. They seem to be getting settled in as we know it. Falicia enjoys the smell of the success they just had.
Falicia: I think I'm starting to like this plan.
Phoenix: Don't like it yet, I just got us in. Now I have to know how smart our enemies are and we still got to learn who their allies and enemies are.
Kalimar looks around.
Kalimar: Where Alto?
Phoenix: Send him to go look around this place for us.
Kalimar: What if these people send spies on us.
Phoenix: The door is guarded by four of our men, and I'll catch them, spies here are probably just as easy as they are in Essos. Besides spies are the least of my concern, today I saw cunning people. I may be good at what I do, but these people ambition are a little different. Right now we give any suspicion about why were truly here; so be cautious around everyone and careful who to trust. For a country like this would expose and betray us for more power and and all the wealth if the opportunity presented itself. So be alert.
The Phoenix looks out at the sea.
Phoenix: Are the crew unloading our supplies and our fortune?
Kalimar: Yes.
Phoenix: Good, because were going to definitely need it, including the fortune.
A knock is heard on the door. The Phoenix gets in his Merchant character.
Phoenix: Enter.
Tyrion Lannister enters.
Tyrion: The Hand of the King is ready.
Phoenix: I'll be right out.
Tyrion closes the door. The Phoenix looks at a mirror.
Phoenix: It's game time.
The Phoenix goes towards the door.
The Phoenix and Tyrion Lannister walk in the halls of the Red Keep. They soon make it to the stairs to the Tower of the Hand.
Tyrion: Let me be the first to politely welcome you to Kingslanding.
Phoenix: Thank you (doesn't know his name.
Tyrion: My name Tyrion… Tyrion Lannister.
Phoenix: Wilhem. No last name. In fact you wouldn't know my family name.
Tyrion: Your accent you don't sound like your from Essos.
Phoenix: (Jokingly) You got me.
The Phoenix looks around admiring more of the architecture of this castle.
Phoenix: I came from a country more far away. I went to Essos to make a fortune… succeeded. I have to say for an imp you seem to be very smart.
Tyrion: The mind can be used as a much better weapon.
Phoenix: I agree, for I believe the mind is better than the sword. Or you can combine both and you have a much more dangerous person.
Tyrion: And also my name protects me for I am a Lannister. And Lord Tywin is my father. My reward for my deeds for saving this city is being made Master of Coin, marriage to a young girl who is heir to the North and wants nothing to do with me after my father had her mother and brother killed by their own banner man. I really shouldn't be telling you this.
Phoenix: It's alright. You saved this city.
Tyrion: Somewhat. Perhaps I'll tell you some time. Maybe your family can have dinner with me and my wife.
Phoenix: Sounds good.
Tyrion: It's the least I could do. I mean you said yourself by the docks ports that you plan to take residence in this country.
Phoenix: I did.
Tyrion: Perhaps during dinner we could discuss it.
Phoenix: You're very kind. Even with you kind, don't expect me to be your friend so easily. I'm not here for friendship. I'm here for opportunity.
They stop by the door to the entrance of the Hand chambers and office.
Tyrion: You don't trust us, thats good. Many people here will betray you in an instant.
The Phoenix laughs for he said that to Kalimar and Falicia before Tyrion arrived.
Tyrion opens the door and leads The Phoenix/Wilhem into the Hand chambers and office. Tywin has been waiting for him.
The Phoenix/Wilhem walks slowly, kind of like menacingly only he hides that part of his stride. Wilhem takes a seat with Tyrion following. Tywin goes to the table rom his desk and joins in, he already has papers and quill with him.
Phoenix: Before we begin. I'll like to thank for your hospitality.
Tywin: (Interrupts) You told me before you plan to take permanent residence in Westeros.
Phoenix: I said I might.
Tywin: But your stay here is extended.
Phoenix: Most likely.
Wilhem/The Phoenix pours a cup of water from the table. Take a small sip.
Tywin: Then as a guest here, I invite you to my grandson wedding. Your welcome to anything food, drinks and to know the people a little bit more.
Phoenix: The King Wedding, to the Tyrell girl.
Tywin: Yes.
Wilhem/The Phoenix takes another sip.
Phoenix: Hope you don't mind I bring a gift.
Wilhem: Gifts will be presented tomorrow. However your foreigners aren't allowed to be at the Kings table to present gifts, but you can present it if you like since of your relations for the Iron Bank and the city of Braavos itself.
Wilhem/The Phoenix, gives him a smile.
Phoenix: Oh I have a gift in mind, in fact you may like this one as well.
Tyrion: In that case I'm curious to see what you have for my Nephew
Phoenix: You'll see.
Tywin eyeballs him. In some way he not sure if he just being nice or if this guy is really up to something. Tyrion notices his father look of concern.
Phoenix: Now if my stay here is going to be long. I would like some books of your laws, family houses, and I would like to be told of what lands and countries are with.
Tywin: I can have Grand Maester Pycelle give you all the books you need. I think it's good that you want to learn our ways and this country history and houses of both new and old.
Phoenix: That good. Now if I'm not needed right now, I would like to check the ships and how there being unloaded with our clothing, money and other items.
Tywin has nothing else to say. Wilhem/The Phoenix leaves. Tyrion waits for the door to close.
Tyrion: So what do you think of him.
Tywin: Even if we found something out about him. By the look at how he is, he doesn't seem to care if we know or not. However he came three ships, thirty men; thirty men would only need one ship, and yet he came with three. He has lot of money. I think he the answer to our financial problem besides the Tyrells, the only difference between him and them is that I don't think he not here for overrule no one, just to gain more wealth and land. We offer him a castle and title, and he gives us money as a part of tax.
Tyrion: And what castle do you suggest we give him. Winterfell is in the hands of Roose Bolton, We can't possibly offer him Harrenhal; it's a ruin and Baelish is the Lord of Harrenhal. So whats left?
Tywin seems to know to offer their new guest.
Tywin: Dreadfort. We can offer him Dreadfort. Roose Bolton is doing well by regaining the North from the Ironborn. It won't be long until Bolton decides to rebuild Winterfell and become Warden of the North, until your heir is produced from the Stark girl. Besides maybe Bolton will kill him for us, that way he gets blamed and we don't. By the way how is the conceiving going by the way?
Tyrion: Still working on it. I don't think she won't let me touch her since someone (referring to his Father) took everything from her.
Tywin: Everything I do. Is for our Family Legacy. Remember Tyrion I'm building a Dynasty that can last for a thousand years that not even the Dragon girl from the East couldn't destroy it.
Tyrion: Be careful Father, there may be someone that can. Someone with a much more greater mind of Strategy than all of us even Varys, the Martells, the Tyrells, Roose Bolton even You and Me.
Tywin smirks.
Tywin: I said many times, I'll like to see that person try. Even if it costs us our allies.
Tyrion: Including their armies?
Tywin: As long as their armies make that enemy suffer heavy casualties.
Tyrion: Well I better get back, I invited Wilhem and his family for supper with Me and Sansa. Maybe I can see what he up to. Because I don't think he hear for wealth, for he made enough of it in Essos.
Tywin: Maybe he is here for wealth; possibly for more wealth. Some man are never satisfied for what they make even if it is a lot.
Tyrion: Should I tell him of what castle you intend to offer him?
Tywin: No. I'll tell him personally after the Royal Wedding.
In the chambers of Tyrion Lannister, food is being prepared, with plates and silverware on the table. Tyrion pours wine in his cup.
Shae is shown being one of the hand maidens preparing the table. Tyrion noticing her smile.
Tyrion: You look happy.
Shae: Well it's not everyday that this country gets many foreigners from Essos.
Tyrion shrugs on that.
Sansa enters with a smile on her face, I guess that encounter with Ser Dontos helped a bit and the necklace she gave her helped as well. She sits down waiting for supper.
Tyrion: You look better.
Sansa: Not quite, but I say the rest of the day helped. I saw some ships coming in today.
Tyrion: Your correct. They came from Braavos, carrying a wealthy family in them and there items. They want to live here in this country.
Sansa: This seems to big of a feast for the both of us.
Tyrion: I invited our guest to dine with us for the night.
A knock is heard on the door.
Tyrion: That's them.
Bronn enters with the guests, Wilhem/The Phoenix, Falicia, Kalimar and Alto. Alto doesn't exactly sit down.
Tyrion: Welcome Wilhem.
Phoenix: Thank you for having us.
Wilhem/The Phoenix introduces his wife and son to Tyrion.
Tyrion: Nice to meet you's. Please this is Sansa my wife.
Kalimar recognizes her from when he was sailing by. Sansa greets them all, including Kalimar.
Kalimar: It's lovely to meet you Lady Stark.
Kalimar looks at her as if she was the beautiful thing he has ever seen.
Sansa: Like wise.
Wilhem/The Phoenix notices Kalimar look he giving her.
Phoenix: Shall we feast. Alto you can take watch with…
Bronn: Bronn.
Alto nods and waits outside with Bronn. Shae stands there with the other hand maiden waiting to serve the guests.
Tyrion: Please enjoy the food here.
Wilhem/The Phoenix and his family fix their plates.
Tyrion: Can I offer you's any wine?
Phoenix: Were good, water would do.
Tyrion: Turn down wine?
Shae comes and pours their cups with water.
Sansa doesn't seem to be eating. Kalimar notices that of her.
Kalimar: You alright my lady.
Sansa nods.
Kalimar: Your not eating nothing.
Sansa: I'm just not hungry.
Wilhem/The Phoenix seems to notice something in her. He can seem to notice her sadness in her.
Phoenix: Why won't the two of you tell me a little about yourselves. Starting with you Tyrion.
Tyrion: Well my father you met. I have a brother name Jamie, and a sister who you saw when you got off the boat this afternoon. Cersei Lannister.
Phoenix: The Queen.
Tyrion: Queen Regent. In a few days my nephew bride Margaery Tyrell will be the new queen of Westeros. Better her then Sansa.
Phoenix: Whys that?
Looks at Sansa for an answer. She doesn't want to be reminded or even talk about it at all.
Tyrion: She was engaged to Joffrey. The moment Joffrey became king, he decapitated her father head, Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell, former Warden of the North. After he killed her father, Joffrey made her life hell, of course when she was free of him, my father forced me to marry her and he also had her Brother and Mother killed by their own banner man.
Falicia shows doe sympathy for her. She places her hand on her hand. Wilhem/The Phoenix looks at Sansa.
Phoenix: Thats awful.
He seems to be glad to know all of this, only he hiding his smile.
Phoenix: So what does that make her?
Tyrion: The heir to Winterfell. Thats why my father had me married to her. So I can give her a Lannister baby; which will inherent all of the North. My father only ambition was to have the North under Lannister control; He obviously doesn't care of others happiness, only about making a Family Dynasty that will last forever.
Phoenix: All of it for Power. Well any man that fights for power eventually falls, rather if its arrogance or pride. Your father is both. You however I had all figure out since the moment I met you. A drunken imp who whores around and is cleverly smart.
Tyrion: Your right on the cleverly smart and the drunk part as well. However I have stop whoring.
Phoenix: Who running the North now since were on the subject?
Tyrion: Lord Roose Bolton of The Dreadfort. He was the one betrayed Robb Stark and his men along with House Frey. Robb Stark remaining force are still out there but now I'm pretty sure they all went home to their families and farms.
Phoenix: Well I'm glad to know this. Rumor has it that the North is the largest land in all of the seven kingdoms.
Sansa: It is. I miss it. I would give anything to go home again.
Kalimar: (Comforting) You will. I just know you will.
It has been long time now. Alto and Bronn sit at different ends of the door.
Alto: Your a sellsword.
Bronn: I am. I'm a knight as well.
Alto: How did you come by that?
Bronn: Killed the right people I guess. What do you do for your Lord?
Alto: Not my Lord. More of a friend. Killing mostly. You see, I got on this position also by killing the right people… and I spy for him.
Bronn: You have some balls telling me this.
Alto: I know. You wanna find out who the better killer is.
Bronn: Trust me, I'm not going to tell no one. Most of the people in here are not worth telling to.
Alto: Does this place have good brothels?
Bronn: It does.
Alto: Good. I would love to spend the night with some beautiful ladies.
The door opens Wilhem/The Phoenix, Falicia and Kalimar exit. Wilhem/The Phoenix shakes Tyrion hand.
Phoenix: Thank you for having us.
Tyrion: Your welcome It was one of the things I could have done for you. See you's tomorrow.
Alto follows them back to the chambers.
Wilhem/The Phoenix is scanning through the books that were left there for him to read. He begins writing down names and deeds of theses houses. Also looking at the map of Westeros for the houses locations.
Phoenix: (to himself) House Baratheon… House Stark… House Tyrell… House Lannister… House Greyjoy… House Frey… House Bolton… House Tully… House Martell.
Alto interrupts, he too has paper… written paper.
Alto: I have Information.
Alto places the paper by Wilhem/The Phoenix.
Phoenix: What information?
Alto: My men… they asked pretty much intimated every hand maidens, whores many and the Lannisters have spies, and so do the Tyrells… but most of these spies come from a man that is not this man called The Spider or Varys.
Phoenix: Then who?
Alto: Petyr Baelish. Of House Baelish, lord of Harrenhal and engaged to Lysa Arryn, Lady of the Vale.
Phoenix: What did you find out about him from his spies.
Alto: Not much yet. Only that he was Master of Coin before the Imp. Master of Coin to Robert Baratheon and Joffrey Baratheon. I saw that blonde hair boy King in the halls, my god he is a little bastard.
Phoenix: You said Master of Coin?
Alto: I did.
Phoenix: Robert Baratheon was king of Westeros 21 years ago if my math serves me right. And the crown has been in depth with the Iron Bank for about a year, of course the crown wouldn't worry about paying it back in a year to two, so this man was probably the Master of Coin then I assume.
Alto: He was.
Phoenix: Being a Master of Coin may look like a lousy position but it has advantages. The Iron Bank told me one time that The Master of Coin is consider the richest man in Westeros because that man is in charge of all the Crown treasury… You said he became a Lord of a Castle right… Harrenhal.
Alto: Haven't even met the man and yet you make assumptions.
Phoenix: Any man in charge of managing all that money and gaining money, probably would use it to start trouble… and some men can use the trouble for advantage to gain power.
Alto: That's an incredible theory. Who taught you that?
Phoenix: It's not a theory when I saw it done before.
Alto: By who?
Phoenix: A man who I considered a mentor, a man I knew when I was very young, no more than ten.
Alto realizes he asking about his past.
Alto: I'll see what I can find out more about this Baelish. Starting with the Brothel. Many told me that the brothel in this city is his establishment. I'll fuck some girls as well to not break my cover or ours.
Alto is about to leave.
Phoenix: Before you do, we have to organize something. Something for the wedding.
Alto: A gift.
Phoenix: Not just that. Causing trouble to use as our advantage to gain something. The only thing is no one will never it was us.
Alto: And what is this plan, my Friend?
Phoenix: I'll tell you tomorrow. It needs to be developed a little more.
Alto nods in agreement. He then leaves Wilhem/The Phoenix to his business. While continuing writing Falicia gets out of bed and stands next to her husband.
Falicia: I can't sleep. I overheard.
Phoenix: It's ok.
She sits on his lap.
Falicia: You'll make it. You never been defeated in a battle both in the field and the mind.
Phoenix: True, I have every intention of winning, but if I'm going to win I want it to be difficult… that way so history can remember that The Phoenix challenge but sill won the fight.
Falicia stays by her husband.
Phoenix: You should go to bed, we have a long morning tomorrow. I'll join you in a moment.
Falicia is about to head back to bed, until the Wilhem/The Phoenix calls her.
Phoenix: Did you see the way our son was looking at the Stark girl at dinner tonight.
Falicia turns and glances.
Falicia: I did.
Phoenix: Kalimar has been with women before, but he never loved them. Perhaps this could be the one for him. Perhaps she can be the key to our mission.
Falicia: I just want to see him happy. We never had a steady home ever since I married you; I don't regret that day. Braavos, Volantis, Tyrosh, Lys, Lorath, Qarth. I followed you everywhere and I always will. And your son will always follow you as well. Perhaps coming here will be a great opportunity for him to have a home, wife, children, land and title. He deserves that.
Phoenix: Yes he does, but it can't be me to give it. In this country, only the king can; and once when we get Daenerys on the Throne, the rewards will be great mostly for him. For I have no use for power, but with Kalimar; he has intelligence, cunning, strategy and great mind to run land and govern people.
Falicia looks away, not out of hate for her husband for she knows he means well but out of fear that what if he fails in his task. He seems to know what she thinking or feeling.
Phoenix: I promise you I will not fail, for I never had in any place. But this doesn't make me arrogant and egoistical but aware. I know I'm in a country with dangerous people. These dangerous people are like hunters. The best hunters in Westeros, they hunt for wealth, land, titles. I on the other hand do not hunt for any of those; for I hunt for pleasure. But who more dangerous Falicia; the man who fights for power or the man who fights for pleasure? Perhaps will find out the question years from now.
Falicia can see the ambition in his eyes, and he will kill anyone who stands in the way of it. Can he be more dangerous than Petyr Baelish "Littlefinger."